Achi news desk-
A vigorous and detailed consultative workshop on the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Enabling Project was held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The discussion focused on creating an enabling environment to increase digital foreign direct investment in Pakistan.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Board of Investment (BOI), the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT), and Tabadlab. The participants included key stakeholders from the public and private sectors working in Pakistan’s digital economy.
The aim of the event was to compile a shortlist of key priority actions from a rich repository of 55 policy options emerging from the Digital FDI Enablement Project; this covered over 70 consultations in Pakistan and a survey of 100 investors operating in the market. This initiative reflects the Government of Pakistan’s firm commitment to foster economic growth, particularly within the digital world, and seeks to grow FDI towards Pakistan’s digital activities.
Matthew Stephenson, WEF’s Head of Investment and Services, said: “Today’s workshop is the culmination of over a year of research and consultations, and we are now at the stage of understanding Pakistan’s priorities to grow digital FDI and support the implementation. of enabling steps.”
Manel Bondi, Head of Digital Markets Growth, DCO, said: “Our aim with the Digital FDI Enablement Project is to lay the foundation for a thriving digital investment landscape in Pakistan. This workshop was a vital step towards aligning policies that attract and hold digital. investment.”
Farooq Ahmed Cheema, Director (Multilateral Institute), MoITT, said that “the productive discussions held at today’s consultative workshop on digital FDI in Pakistan show a growing recognition of the country’s immense potential in the digital sector. The Ministry of IT and Telecom is fully committed to fostering a favorable environment that attracts foreign investment and promotes the growth of our thriving technology industry This will not only facilitate innovation and economic growth but also create exciting new opportunities for Pakistanis and global partners such as each other
Tabadlab Founding Partner and Head of Advisory, Umar Nadeem said: “Pakistan’s digital promise requires a holistic and coordinated approach to generate dividends for a young population. The Digital FDI Initiative is a unique opportunity to grow the digital economy, address Pakistan’s fiscal challenges, and accelerate progress towards improving socio-economic outcomes. “
BOI Director, Mehmood Tufail, appreciated the direction of the conversation: “It is essential to work towards a way forward. An action plan should be highlighted and truly implemented in letter and spirit by the government entities in consultation with the stakeholders.”
The policy options covered covered a broad spectrum of themes, including institutional architecture, regulatory environment, incentives for digital infrastructure, a digital-centric tax regime, and bridging the academia-industry gap. The workshop emphasized the significance of several key initiatives: establishing fixed tax policies and aligning tax incentives with digital development goals; create a unified digital system to connect government ministries; developing data sharing mechanisms; boosting Pakistan’s competitiveness in the regional and international investment landscape; and fostering a skilled workforce through specialist digital training programmes.
The insights gathered from the workshop will inform the strategic direction and activities of the Digital FDI Enablement Project over the coming year, driving Pakistan towards a more robust and inclusive digital economy poised for continued growth and prosperity.
